New Input System overview in Unity - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - New Input System overview

Start

↓

Create Input Actions

↓

Generate C# Class

↓

Enable Input Actions

↓

Listen for Input Events

↓

Respond to Input

↓

Disable Input Actions

↓

End

This flow shows how the new input system in Unity works from creating input actions to responding to input events.

Execution Sample

Unity

var controls = new PlayerControls();
controls.Enable();
controls.Player.Jump.performed += ctx => Jump();
void Jump() {
  Debug.Log("Jump!");
}

This code creates input controls, enables them, listens for a jump action, and runs a jump method when triggered.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Evaluation	Result
1	Create PlayerControls instance	var controls = new PlayerControls()	controls object created with input actions
2	Enable input actions	controls.Enable()	Input system starts listening for inputs
3	Subscribe to Jump action	controls.Player.Jump.performed += ctx => Jump()	Jump method linked to Jump input event
4	Player presses jump button	Jump input detected	Jump() method called
5	Jump() runs	Debug.Log("Jump!")	Console prints 'Jump!'
6	Disable input actions	controls.Disable()	Input system stops listening for inputs

💡 Input actions disabled or game ends, stopping input listening

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
controls	null	PlayerControls instance	Enabled	Jump event subscribed	Jump event triggered	Disabled

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we need to call controls.Enable()?

controls.Enable() starts the input system listening for input events. Without it, input actions won't detect any input, as shown in step 2 of the execution_table.

What happens if we don't unsubscribe from input events?

If you don't unsubscribe, the event handler stays active and can cause unexpected behavior or memory leaks. The example shows subscribing but disabling input stops listening (step 6).

How does the Jump() method get called?

Jump() is called when the Jump input action is performed, as linked in step 3 and triggered in step 4 of the execution_table.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the state of 'controls' after step 2?

A Jump event is subscribed

B Input actions are disabled

C Input system is listening for inputs

D Jump method has been called

💡 Hint

Check the 'Result' column in step 2 of the execution_table

At which step does the Jump() method get called?

A Step 4

B Step 3

C Step 6

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Action' and 'Result' columns for when Jump() runs

If controls.Disable() is never called, what happens?

A Input system stops listening automatically

B Input system keeps listening for inputs

C Jump() method never runs

D PlayerControls instance is destroyed

💡 Hint

Refer to the 'exit_note' and step 6 in the execution_table

Concept Snapshot

New Input System in Unity:
- Create Input Actions asset
- Generate C# class from asset
- Instantiate and Enable controls
- Subscribe to input events
- Respond in event handlers
- Disable controls when done

Full Transcript

The Unity New Input System works by creating input actions and generating a C# class to manage them. You instantiate this class and enable it to start listening for inputs. Then, you subscribe to specific input events like Jump. When the player presses the jump button, the Jump method runs. Finally, you disable the input actions when no longer needed to stop listening. This flow ensures clean and responsive input handling.